Manny Machado's high school coach thinks he'll choose the White Sox

By Chicago Tribune Staff

|Chicago Tribune|

Jan 11, 2019 | 11:44 AM

Where will Manny Machado land?

His high school baseball coach says it'll be the White Sox.

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In a story by Brendan Kuty for N.J.com, Miami Brito Private School's Lazaro Fundora said: "He's been a Yankees fan his whole life. Anybody would like to wear those pinstripes. … But as far as where he could play shortstop, for instance, that's why I think the White Sox could be it."

The Yankees have two shortstops: newly acquired Troy Tulowitzki and Didi Gregorius. The White Sox, of course, also have a shortstop: Tim Anderson, who had a strong rookie year in 2016, but whose numbers have slumped since then.

"That's just me thinking as a baseball guy," Fundora, now the school's athletic director, continued. "Well, if you want to play short, (the White Sox) will probably be the best venue for him."

USA Today's Bob Nightengale has reported that the Sox officially have made an offer to Machado. But many have speculated Machado would prefer the Yankees if the interest and financials are mutual.

On the other hand, the Sox recently added two of Machado's best friends to their roster: first baseman Yonder Alonso and outfielder Jon Jay.

"Manny's going to do what's best for him and his family," Jay said in a conference call Thursday after the team made his signing official. "Obviously, we have a great friendship, and Yonder is his brother-in-law and all that, but Manny's going to do what's best for his family.

"Obviously, we'd love to have a Manny on the team. Absolutely. But that's something ultimately that's going to be on them and their family. Who knows what's going to happen?"